WWE News: Randy Orton to face Jinder Mahal for The US Title at Backlash

What's the story?

On tonight's episode of Smackdown Live, a triple threat match took place to determine Jinder Mahal's No.1 contender for his United States Championship.

Randy Orton would go on to defeat Bobby Roode and Rusev, earning his shot at redemption at Backlash.

In case you didn't know...

Orton went into WrestleMania 34 as the United States Champion, capturing the title that eluded him his entire career after defeating Roode back at Fastlane.

However, he would lose that title after less than a month when the Modern Day Maharaja pinned Rusev on the Grandest Stage of Them All.

The heart of the matter

Orton, Rusev, and Roode took part in a triple threat match on March 10th to determine who would challenge Mahal for his United States Championship at Backlash.

It seemed that Rusev would finally get his big win after he locked the Accolade in on the Glorious One.

However, Orton knocked him out of the ring, planting Roode with an RKO afterward.

A rivalry renewed.@RandyOrton @JinderMahal #SDLive pic.twitter.com/t3FRWUbkum

— WWE (@WWE) April 11, 2018

Orton looks to finally defeat the Modern Day Maharaja and regain the title he never lost next month.

What's next?

Backlash takes place on May 6th, and so far only has three matches on the card, including the United States Title Match.

However, before that can take place, the title will be on the line at the Greatest Royal Rumble event.

Author's take

While it may be disappointing to see Rusev not get this shot yet, Orton vs Mahal is a rivalry that defined Smackdown Live for much of 2017.

The crafty veteran, no matter what he tried, could never defeat Mahal to regain his WWE Championship, and that has to get under his skin.

It's also possible that we may not even get to that match. If the Modern Day Maharaja loses his title at the Greatest Royal Rumble, maybe to Rusev, Orton will find himself in front of a new opponent with little time to prepare.